by Ian Marshall, Editor
The no.3 seed, in the group phase of play, Liu Jing had experienced defeat at the hands of Brazil’s Catia da Silva Oliveira (11-4, 11-9, 8-11, 5-11, 11-2); on the second day of action, they met in the final, Liu Jing reversed the decision. She prevailed in three straight games (11-3, 11-7, 11-5).
Disappointment for Catia da Silva Oliveira but, not listed amongst the top three seeds, the silver medal excelled expectations; most notably in the penultimate round she had once again underlined her quality. She ended the progress of Italy’s Giada Rossi, the top seed, in straight games (11-8, 11-9, 11-9).
Success for Liu Jing contrary to seeding, it was the same in class 4 for Gu Xiaodan; the no.2 seed; in the final, she accounted for colleague Zhang Miao, the no.3 seed (10-12, 11-8, 11-8, 11-5) and very much a player in form. At the semi-final stage she had beaten Serbia’s Borislava Peric-Rankovic, the top seed, the reigning Paralympic Games and World Para champion (11-7, 5-11, 11-8, 14-12).
Titles somewhat contrary to predictions, in class 5 it was as anticipated, as it was in class 1 but most certainly not in class 3.
Zhang Bian, the top seed and gold medallist in Rio de Janeiro, emerged the class 5 winner, beating compatriot, Pan Jiamin, the no.3 seed in the final (11-2, 9-11, 11-8, 11-5); meanwhile in a group organized class 1 event, Poland’s Dorota Buclaw justified her exalted position by finishing ahead of Germany’s Chagit Yona Brill.
In class 3 it was very different, Croatia’s Andela Muzinic, the no.5 seed, struck gold. After accounting for China’s Xu Juan, the top seed, gold medallist in Rio de Janeiro and last year at the World Para Championships (10-12, 11-5, 11-9, 11-9), she overcame the Korea Republic’s Lee Migyu to seal the title (11-4, 11-6, 7-11, 11-9). Not listed amongst the top names, Lee Migyu had beaten Sweden’s Anna-Carin Ahlqhuist, the no.2 seed (10-12, 11-6, 11-9, 10-12, 11-7) and Turkey’s Negris Altintas (9-11, 14-12, 11-8, 11-5) to reach the final.
Play in Lasko concludes on Saturday 11th May.
Thermana Lasko Slovenia Para Open 2019: Latest results and main draws
